As the artist behind Form & Funk, Victoria Pater is known for her funky sculptures blending mid-century modern aesthetics with playful, vibrant designs. While her intricate pieces are sold to private collectors and art lovers, Victoria wanted to create something more accessible—lightweight, foldable reusable shopping bags that embodied her aesthetic and commitment to sustainability.
That's when Victoria came to Work+Shelter. She heard about Work+Shelter partnering with Indie designers in Chicago and reached out to see if we could bring her creative vision to life. Seeking transparency and ethical production, she partnered with our fair-trade organization to ensure her bags aligned with her values—beautifully and responsibly crafted.
Founder, Theresa VanderMeer and Artist Victoria Pater
A Practical Canvas for Her Creativity
These bags aren’t just accessories—they’re a reflection of Victoria’s personal journey and values. Since college in the early 2000s, she’s been committed to reducing her reliance on plastic bags, carrying reusable ones to promote sustainable choices. This commitment, coupled with her love for creating, led to the production of these foldable bags:
- Lightweight and Compact: Perfect for tossing into your purse or pocket, these bags are easy to carry anywhere.
- Practical and Stylish: With fun, mid-century-inspired prints, they’re both functional and artistic.
- Sustainable Material: Made from recycled polyester specifically, plastic bottles to replace single-use plastic bags.
Recycled polyester fold-up bags for Form&Funk
“For over 20 years I’ve always brought my own grocery bags, and I’ve avoided plastic at checkout. These bags aren’t just for me; they’re a way to encourage others to make small, meaningful changes,” says Victoria.
Production Details: Bringing Victoria's Vision to Life
The production of Victoria’s foldable bags involved several rounds of refinement. Through multiple iterations, we perfected the details to achieve a result that felt true to her vision.
- Prints: To bring Victoria’s artwork to life, we explored various printing methods, including sublimation and digital printing. While both produced high-quality results, we ultimately chose sublimation for its balance of affordability and quality. This approach ensured the bags met an accessible price point for both Victoria and Work+Shelter.
- Packaging: The foldable bags feature a small loop for easy display in retail environments. Sold folded up, the packaging needed to clearly communicate product details. Victoria designed the belly bands to share key information while reinforcing her brand’s identity, reflecting the playful, vibrant aesthetic of her work and complementing the overall design.
Custom belly band packaging
The Stories Behind the Prints
Each bag design tells its own story, inspired by what Victoria loves most and tied in some way to Chicago:
- Terrazzo Patterns: A nod to mid-century modern aesthetics and playful patterns.
- The Chicago Dog: A tribute to her hometown, this print playfully celebrates a cherished Chicago tradition: enjoying hot dogs!
- Floral Prints: Victoria loves flowers, drawing inspiration from the hydrangeas in her yard and the joy of finding beauty in everyday surroundings.
“I wanted the bags to feel approachable—something Chicagoans would get excited about but that also resonates with anyone who loves fun, accessible design,” she explains.
A Gift of Art and Sustainability
Victoria’s foldable bags make her art accessible to a wider audience, offering an affordable, practical way to own a piece of her creativity. Designed with the same care as her larger works, the bags blend accessibility, sustainability, and personal meaning, bringing her art into everyday life. By designing for herself and focusing on what she would use, Victoria creates a genuine connection with those who value functional, beautiful design.
Bring a touch of joy and creativity to your life with Victoria’s foldable bags. Shop Now.
Interested in Partnering with Work+Shelter?
If your organization is interested in creating custom products with purpose, we’d love to collaborate! Work+Shelter specializes in ethical production, guiding partners through every step of the design-to-production journey. Visit our product catalog or reach out at hello@workshelter.co to learn more.
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